CSU's Three-Point Shooting Sinks Chants

CHARLESTON -
The Charleston Southern University Buccaneers who lead the NCAA in 3-pointers per game hit 13 against Coastal Carolina including 10 in the first half to take a 70-58 victory in both teams Big South Conference opener. The Chants trailed by 18 at the half and as much as 23 in the second half but they were able to use a late run in the second period to cut CSU’s lead to just 12.

The win gives CSU a perfect 1-0 record in conference play and the Bucs are now 7-7 pverall. The loss drops CCU’s record to 7-8 on the year and 0-1 in conference play.

Juniors Josh Cameron and Warren Gillis led the Chants offensive attack. Cameron had 11 points, two assists, a steal and a block while Gillis chipped in 10 points and a team-high four assists. Freshman Elijah Wilson had nine points and four rebounds while sophomore Badou Diagne added seven points and a team-high eight rebounds.

Senior El Hadji Ndieguene returned from injury to play 14 minutes and score six points and grabbed four rebounds.

The Bucs had a quartet of double-digit scorers led by Will Saunders’ 16 points. Saunders also led the Bucs with eight rebounds.

CSU shot 42.9 percent (21-49) from the field including 41.9 percent (13-31) from three. The Chants struggled offensively and hit just 39.0 percent (23-59) of their shots including 18.8 percent (3-16) from long range.

The Bucs opened the first half with a 10-3 run but CCU was able to close the gap with a 7-3 run of its own. The Chants kept the lead in single digits most of the opening period but a late 12-2 run to close the half gave CSU a 18-point lead. The Bucs used back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers in the run and ended the half with 10 3-pointers. CSU shot 55.6 percent (15-27) from the field in the opening period including 52.6 percent (10-19) from three. The Chants hit just 40.7 percent (11-27) of its shots including 33.3 percent (3-9) from three.

The second half was back-and-forth with CSU continuing to hold its double-digit lead. A 12-1 run by the Chants to close out the game cut the Bucs lead to just 12 as time expired.

Coastal will return to action Saturday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. as the Chants travel to Gardner-Webb University.